Our Store Favorite for a Non-Catalytic Wood Stove: Drolet HT-3000 (DB07300)
Price: $If you're searching for a non-catalytic wood stove, it's probably because you've heard that the catalytic models don't work as well. The Drolet HT-3000 is definitely my recommendation for you. It's a large stove, with a lovely design.
Also, it's made in Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦; no Chinese manufacturing here!
- Where is it Made? Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦
- Where does it ship from? Straight from Drolet. That means it'll either come from their warehouse in South Bend, IN or Madison Heights, VA.
- EPA Certified: you know it!
- Tax Credit Eligible: ✅ (get 30% of the appliance and installation cost off on your taxes, up to $2,000)
- Total heat output? The nominal (i.e. theoretical) heat output is 110,000 BTU. The realistic max heat output is 51,616 BTU/hr
Best Medium Sized Non Catalytic Wood Stove: Drolet Columbia II (DB03016)
Price: $If you need something a little smaller than the HT-3000, I'd suggest you look at the Drolet Columbia II. It's a medium stove that can heat up to 1,800 sq ft. One feature that a lot of people like is the legs rather than a pedestal. It gives it more of the classic wood stove look.
- Where is it Made? Quebec, Canada (yay, North America)
- Mobile Home Compatible? Yes! (Code requires you to add the fresh air intake as well)
- Where does it ship from? It generally ships direct from the manufacturer. That means it'll either come from their warehouse in South Bend, IN or Madison Heights, VA.
- EPA Certified: you know it!
- Tax Credit Eligible: ✅ (get 30% of the appliance and installation cost off on your taxes, up to $2,000)
- How much area can it heat? Anywhere between 1,500 sq ft (if you get temps below 0℉) to 2,400 sq ft if you live in a climate that's very warm like Florida or Texas.
- Total heat output? The nominal (i.e. theoretical) heat output is 65,000 BTU. The realistic max heat output is 52,200 BTU/h
Best Small Non Catalytic Wood Stove:Drolet Escape 1200 (DB03016)
Price: $
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This little stove also doesn't use a catalytic converter. The Escape lineup has been made by Drolet for years, so they've had a long time to perfect it. It's the most popular small stove they make. Even though it's little, it's still got a glass door so you can see your fire.
- Where is it Made? Quebec, Canada
- Where does it ship from? It generally ships direct from the manufacturer. That means it'll either come from their warehouse in South Bend, IN or Madison Heights, VA.
- EPA Certified: you know it!
- Tax Credit Eligible: ✅ (get 30% of the appliance and installation cost off on your taxes, up to $2,000)
- How much area can it heat? Anywhere between 900 sq ft (if you get temps below 0℉) to 1,800 sq ft if you live in a climate that's very warm like Florida or Texas.
- Total heat output? The nominal (i.e. theoretical) heat output is 45,000 BTU. The realistic max heat output is 26,700 BTU/h
How Did I Pick This Stove?
This was a pretty tough task. Out of all the stoves we sell, most of them are non-catalytic. I decided not just to use my experience with the stoves, but also to take a look at which stoves are most popular with customers. The ones I listed are far and away the customers' favorite.
Why Are Non-Catalytic Wood Stoves Better than Catalytic Wood Stoves?
So, you might have heard some folks say non-catalytic wood stoves are the way to go over catalytic ones. Well, it's not that straightforward. It really boils down to what you're looking for in a stove. Non-catalytic ones are pretty straightforward, less fussy with no catalytic converter to worry about cleaning, learning how to use or replacing. You basically can't mess them up. They also respond quicker when you mess with the air controls, making them a bit more user-friendly.
On the flip side, catalytic stoves are the champs of efficiency. They burn the wood more thoroughly, meaning less waste and fewer pollutants getting into the air. They're the go-to for keeping a steady heat over longer periods, perfect if you're aiming to be kinder to the environment and get the most bang for your buck wood-wise. You do need to learn how to use them, and be sure you clean them the right way which is why many people avoid them. So, it's not about which type is better overall, but which one fits your needs and lifestyle best.
Why Should You Trust My Opinion on Wood Stoves?
Great question! Since starting work at Renovation Reserve, I've had to learn more about wood burning products than I ever thought I would. I've been lucky enough to talk directly to manufacturers and have them answer tons of random questions about wood burning products. While I don't know everything, I am studying for my NFI certification and have loved every moment of this wood burning journey.
More Articles
We decided to tackle another topic that is very popular: wood stoves with a long (ten hour) burn time! Click here to read it.